WRC Rally Sweden 2019
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There are cars in the overall top 10 setting opening splits now. No-one can get to within four seconds of Latvala. It looks like the Rally2 returnees may have got the best out of Likenas.
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"Perfect condition. Absolutely fantastic for me and the car," says Latvala.
That 11m06.3s from Latvala is the new benchmark time, for now.
Somehow Latvala and Ogier were tied at split three as well as split two, though Latvala finishes this stage 0.2s faster.
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Ogier is in.
"Really good condition. I wish we would have always like this!" he says. He's right, this is the whitest-looking stage I've seen all weekend. Looks like there's a nice, solid ice base for the studded tyres to bite into as well.
"On the next one I'm going to cruise for the power stage," he confirms.
"Really good condition. I wish we would have always like this!" he says. He's right, this is the whitest-looking stage I've seen all weekend. Looks like there's a nice, solid ice base for the studded tyres to bite into as well.
"On the next one I'm going to cruise for the power stage," he confirms.
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"The stage was really nice but my driving? Difficult to find the rhythm when you go fast and I don't trust myself."
Will he come back and try another WRC event after all this?
"Forget it!" he replies.
Will he come back and try another WRC event after all this?
"Forget it!" he replies.
Gronholm sets an 11m28.3s, the first time on the board.
Latvala and Ogier are tied at the second split.
Ogier is probably going to be managing tyres pretty heavily through both passes of Likenas; he'll be aiming for five points on the power stage if he can.
Latvala is fastest at the first split so far, 1.3s up on Ogier.
Latvala is next. His record-breaking 197th WRC start went horribly wrong on Friday, crashing out of the lead battle by ploughing into a snowbank. But he did take a stage win first thing yesterday morning. Can he do it again here?
Ogier has a little bit of a moment and dips wide at one corner, precariously close to the snowbanks.
Sebastien Ogier is being obedient and starting where he sound in the road order. For now.
Having not competed in a WRC event for nine years, and not competing full-time since 2007, he's very much out of practice and his times reflect that. Just look at Sebastien Loeb's struggles to keep up with the midfield drivers this weekend!
He was much happier with his run yesterday, especially has he was traversing ground he knew from Rally Swedens past.
He was much happier with his run yesterday, especially has he was traversing ground he knew from Rally Swedens past.
Right, here we go, Gronholm starts what may well be his final WRC morning aboard his Toyota Yaris. Let's enjoy it while it lasts!
Sebastien Ogier is due to be next after Gronholm. Yesterday, he ignored his road position and deliberately checked in late. He likely won't do so on the first pass of this stage but he might pull the same trick on the second run through Likenas, and then the power stage later.
Marcus Gronholm, who is well down the order after spinning into a snowbank and retiring on Friday, will start the day's action for us.
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What should we expect from the only stage the crews have yet to traverse? Yesterday's Rally Sweden Historic winner Petter Solberg has filled us in:
SS17/18 Likenas (13.16 miles)
Completely the same as last year, this one starts with a run through a rallycross track. After that there’s a section where it’s really twisty, really technical. It’s easy to lose time in this place by pushing too hard; you push too hard into one corner, then the next and then suddenly you’re over-driving everywhere and losing just a tenth or so by not being so clean. After this the road is really fast again and actually quite like some of the stages in Norway.
SS17/18 Likenas (13.16 miles)
Completely the same as last year, this one starts with a run through a rallycross track. After that there’s a section where it’s really twisty, really technical. It’s easy to lose time in this place by pushing too hard; you push too hard into one corner, then the next and then suddenly you’re over-driving everywhere and losing just a tenth or so by not being so clean. After this the road is really fast again and actually quite like some of the stages in Norway.
There's a massive battle over second place, with Andreas Mikkelsen and Esapekka Lappi level pegging and Thierry Neuville right behind both of them. Plus Sebastien Loeb will fancy another look at Kris Meeke's sixth position.
There's only three stages today; starting with Likenäs, which is run twice, before the crews head for Torsby to take part in the power stage.
Good morning everyone! Welcome to the Autosport Live coverage of Rally Sweden's final day of action.
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Right, now we've cleared that up, it's time to call it a day! Thanks for following along with us today. It's been a cracking day of WRC action!
We'll be back at 6:40am GMT (7:40am local time) tomorrow for the final day of Rally Sweden. There's a tie for second and Neuville in fourth is hovering only 2.3s behind, so definitely not one to miss!
You can catch up on the last two stages with the story below. We'll see you tomorrow, bright and early. Goodnight!
We'll be back at 6:40am GMT (7:40am local time) tomorrow for the final day of Rally Sweden. There's a tie for second and Neuville in fourth is hovering only 2.3s behind, so definitely not one to miss!
You can catch up on the last two stages with the story below. We'll see you tomorrow, bright and early. Goodnight!
That time for Veiby has now righted itself. He was three seconds slower than Huttunen through Torsby Sprint, so the WRC2 lead gap is down to 12 seconds.
It's also the battle for ninth overall, don't forget!
It's also the battle for ninth overall, don't forget!
I doubt it'll still be 15 seconds though, as Huttunen set the fourth fastest time through Torsby Sprint. Overall, not in WRC2! He's really bloody good at these short stages, isn't he?
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So, the timing system suggest Ole Christian Veiby dropped three minutes in Torsby Sprint and that Jari Huttunen is up to ninth overall.
However, DAVID EVANS, who is on the ground for us in Torsby, has informed me that it's a timing error and he completed the stage safely. So his lead in WRC2 should be safe for now.
However, DAVID EVANS, who is on the ground for us in Torsby, has informed me that it's a timing error and he completed the stage safely. So his lead in WRC2 should be safe for now.
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Look at that battle for second. Incredible!
Overall classification after SS16 Torsby Sprint
1. Tanak 2h19m31.7s
2. Mikkelsen +54.5s
2. Lappi +54.5s
4. Neuville +56.8s
5. Evans +1m08.7s
Overall classification after SS16 Torsby Sprint
1. Tanak 2h19m31.7s
2. Mikkelsen +54.5s
2. Lappi +54.5s
4. Neuville +56.8s
5. Evans +1m08.7s
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Here's the five fastest WRC cars through that quick stage recapped;
SS16 Torsby Sprint stage results
1. Neuville 1m56.8s
2. Lappi +0.9s
3. Mikkelsen +1.3s
4. Ogier +2.2s
5. Loeb +2.5s
SS16 Torsby Sprint stage results
1. Neuville 1m56.8s
2. Lappi +0.9s
3. Mikkelsen +1.3s
4. Ogier +2.2s
5. Loeb +2.5s
While we were dealing with the implications for second place Tanak has completed the final stage of the day. He's only 8th fastest, 3.2s off Neuville's benchmark. But he won't care, his lead is safe and comfortable, with 54.5s in hand over the joint chasers of Mikkelsen and Lappi.
Neuville also gained 1.3s over his Hyundai team-mate, so second-through-fourth is separated by only 2.3s.
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Wow! Mikkelsen was third fastest but it's not enough as Lappi takes 0.4s out of him, which puts them dead level in second.
It's a dead heat in the overall classification between Mikkelsen and Lappi!
Mikkelsen really needs a podium after a year of awful results. Can he cling onto second heading into tomorrow?
Mikkelsen is now halfway through the stage and heading through the arena.
He gains half a second over Meeke behind but his deficit to a net fourth place is 11.9s.
Evans is 2.7s slower than Neuville, the next driver in front of him in the overall classification.
Evans has struggled a little today and he doesn't look quite as rapid as Lappi did through here, by comparison.
Before we get to the most important piece of the second place puzzle, Andreas Mikkelsen, we've got fifth-placed Elfyn Evans to get through first. He's on his way.
Stopwatch
Lappi drops 0.9s to Neuville. There's only 2.3s between the pair now.
All looks as it should. He's sticking to the tramlines that have formed.
Lappi is now on stage. Here we go!
By: Matt Beer
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